Man Booker changes nationality of nominated author back to “Taiwan”

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London, The U.K-based Man Booker Foundation changed the designated nationality of a nominated Taiwanese author back to "Taiwan" after previously revising it to "Taiwan, China" in an effort to appear "politically neutral."

On March 29, Wu Ming-Yi (???), whose book "The Stolen Bicycle" featured on the longlist for the Man Booker International award released on March 12, took to Facebook to object to being listed as a national of "Taiwan, China" on the international literary prize's website.

Wu said in his post the designation does not represent his personal opinion and he would be seeking assistance to express "my personal position to the award organization."

The foundation first responded by saying they had been advised to use the wording "Taiwan, China" as "the correct, politically neutral form," but indicated they were asking the U.K's Foreign & Commonwealth Office for advice.

Following the Easter break, Man Booker changed the designation back to "Taiwan" on its website.

In an email to CNA, it explained that this was a result of "correspondence with stakeholders and additional guidance on the appropriate terminology from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office."

The foundation went on to excuse itself from the politics of the issue, saying that "the prize is not about defining nationality; all global citizens are eligible, provided they are published in translation in the UK."

Wu's book "The Stolen Bicycle" is about a writer who embarks on a quest in search of his missing father's stolen bicycle.

It was translated into English by Darryl Sterk and published by Text Publishing and is the first book by a Taiwanese author to be nominated for the Man Booker International Prize.

A shortlist of six books will be announced on April 12, and the winner of the 2018 prize on May 22.

Source: Focus Taiwan News Channel

London, The U.K-based Man Booker Foundation changed the designated nationality of a nominated Taiwanese author back to "Taiwan" after previously revising it to "Taiwan, China" in an effort to appear "politically neutral."

On March 29, Wu Ming-Yi (???), whose book "The Stolen Bicycle" featured on the longlist for the Man Booker International award released on March 12, took to Facebook to object to being listed as a national of "Taiwan, China" on the international literary prize's website.

Wu said in his post the designation does not represent his personal opinion and he would be seeking assistance to express "my personal position to the award organization."

The foundation first responded by saying they had been advised to use the wording "Taiwan, China" as "the correct, politically neutral form," but indicated they were asking the U.K's Foreign & Commonwealth Office for advice.

Following the Easter break, Man Booker changed the designation back to "Taiwan" on its website.

In an email to CNA, it explained that this was a result of "correspondence with stakeholders and additional guidance on the appropriate terminology from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office."

The foundation went on to excuse itself from the politics of the issue, saying that "the prize is not about defining nationality; all global citizens are eligible, provided they are published in translation in the UK."

Wu's book "The Stolen Bicycle" is about a writer who embarks on a quest in search of his missing father's stolen bicycle.

It was translated into English by Darryl Sterk and published by Text Publishing and is the first book by a Taiwanese author to be nominated for the Man Booker International Prize.

A shortlist of six books will be announced on April 12, and the winner of the 2018 prize on May 22.

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